Harrogate calls on mining billionaire to help fund anti-bushfire project
A tiny town in the Adelaide Hills is hoping Australia’s richest man can come to the party to help them bolster their defences against bushfires.
Adelaide Hills
Don't miss out on the headlines from Adelaide Hills. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- State-wide food drive underway for Cudlee Creek bushfire victims
- Backpackers flock to the Hills following working visa changes
- Are you getting the most from your Advertiser subscription?
Australia’s richest man could be the key to safeguarding a small Hills town from future bushfires.
Mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has been approached to fund a $2.4 million reticulated water supply for Harrogate through his philanthropic Minderoo Foundation. A submission has been made by state Liberal MPs Adrian Pederick and Dan Cregan, who hope to tap into the $70 million bushfire relief fund announced by Mr Forrest and his wife Nicola earlier this year.
If approved, the funds would be used to build a 8km pipeline from Woodside to Harrogate, as well as a 250,000 litre tank, to supply water to CFS and farm units during a bushfire crisis.
Harrogate currently relies on rain and bore water.
Hammond MP Mr Pederick said Harrogate’s water supply reached critical levels during the December 20 Cudlee Creek bushfire which destroyed 20 homes in the Mount Barker Council area.
“I have been working with (Kavel MP) Dan (Cregan) to have SA Water cost the project. Their advice is that extending the high pressure main to Harrogate from Woodside is likely to cost in the order of at least $2.4 million,” Mr Pederick said.
“This also includes the possibility of installing a high-volume tank system at Harrogate to ensure fire water is always on hand.
“We have written to (Mr) Forrest to seek assistance through his foundation and hope to hear back in the next week or so.
The Minderoo Foundation was contacted for comment.
